STM Quantum (S) Video Review (Features Score: 30.5; Access. Score: 7/10)

STM Quantum (S) Review

Overall: Pros = 33 points, cons = -2.5;  The STM Quantum (S) earns a Features Score of 30.5.  (Score sheet posted below.) Accessibility score: 7 out of 10.

This is a great little bag.  In fact, the big plus of this bag is that it is just that - little.  What is most attractive, however, is that despite being described by the manufacturer as being a bag for a 13 inch laptop, it fits my 15 inch MacBook Pro perfectly!  As I state in the following video, there are only a couple of flaws:

1.  The zippers don't allow the main openings to open wide enough.  This is particularly troublesome for the front organizer panel where it is difficult to pry open the pocket to access items (especially those kept in the mesh zippered pocket).  A wider zipper opening and a more gusseted pocket would have solved this problem.

2.  The side water bottle pockets are just too narrow for a 750 mL water bottle.  Bummer.  What's odd is that there is no reason why they had to make them so narrow as they are not using all of the real-estate on the side of the bag.  It was almost as if STM planned to make the main compartment zipper drop all the way down the sides of the bag, narrowed these pockets to accommodate this, and then forgot to make the pockets wider when they decided NOT to extend the zipper in this way.  Weird.

There you have it!  Very few problems.  So far this looks like a keeper.

Addendum:  It turns out that this was not a keeper.  The main compartment was just too small for my camera insert and the organizer pocket was a headache to use.  Bummer.  This was really close.

Accessibility:

The inability to access the organizer pocket proved to be too much of an issue for me.  It made me realize that I need to include "accessibility" to the list of criteria that I use to judge the major compartments of each crossover commuter bags.  From now on (March 2015) I will include a section of every review called accessibility and a bag's compartments will be rated on a 1 - 10 scale (10 = most).  The accessibility score for this bag:

Organizer pocket = 5. It is external, but hard to access.
Main compartment = 7.  A bit too narrow given given how limited the zipper opening is.
Computer compartment = 9 (external, but zipper opening is limited)

Overall: 7 out of 10.

Video:  

Photos:  

STM Quantum front showing zippered organizer pocket

STM Quantum back showing open file pocket & webbing for attaching bag to a luggage handle 

Handle pocket (front)

Fleece-lined glasses pocket 

Organizer panel in front pocket; lack of U-shaded zipper opening makes it hard to access.

Zippered mesh storage pocket on front wall of organizer panel pocket

Water bottle pocket (too small!)

Water bottle pocket (still too small!)

File folder pocket on rear of bag with cell phone pocket 

Main compartment showing fleece-lined iPad pocket, two open topped accessory pockets, and file folder pocket with elasticized top edge; this is closer to the back of the bag.

Two large zippered accessory pockets on front inside wall of main compartment

Padded and fleece-lined laptop pocket (external access) that fits a 15 inch MacBook Pro (despite the literature stating that it would only fit a 13 inch MacBook Pro)

Here is the score sheet for this bag: The column "Item" includes particular aspects of the bag.  You will note that the top table includes items that earn positive points while the bottom table includes items that lose points for the bag.  The "Points" column are the potential points that a bag could earn or lose.  The "This Bag" column are the points that the bag under review has earned or lost.

Item	Points +	This Bag	Notes
Made with Cordura or similar nylon material	2	2
Straight stitching, doubled in high stress zones, taped seams - well put together	1	1
Made with soft polyester making it flexible, quiet, gentle on clothing	2
Stout zippers, large pulls, and hardware	1
Reinforced bottom for durability and/or weather resistance	1
Compression straps to slim bag	0.5
Large external water bottle pockets	2	2
Separate, external access to laptop compartment	3	3
Separate iPad pocket	3	3
Fleece-lined external pocket for eyeglasses or phone	3	3
External pocket for eyeglasses or phone	2
Large rounded or paddded handle	1	1
Handle centrally placed (front to back)	0.5	0.5
Multitude of pockets for organization	2	2
Open slide in pocket for file folders (internal)	2	2
Open slide in pocket for file folders (external)	2	2
Ability to slide over handle of rolling luggage	1	1
Laptop section that is TSA friendly (opens up without laptop removal)	1
Flat bottom and perpendicular sides allow bag to stand on own	2	2
Organizer panel within an outer pocket to allow to easy access	1	1
A dedicated cell-phone pocket	1	1
A dedicated cell-phone pocket that is large enough to fit an iPhone 6	0.5	0.5
Large padded shoulder pad with stick coating	1	1
No Velcro used to keep flap closed (quiet and professional)	2	2
Xtra bright inner lining allowing you to see items easily	2
Light inner lining allowing you to see items easily	1	1
Stiff build that maintains the pack's structure when loading/placing	2	2
Outer lashing points for attaching accessories	1
	Total	33
Item	Points -	This Bag	Notes
Soft material that will not wear as well as nylon	-1
Simple handle that digs into hand	-0.5
Cannot stay upright due to design	-3
Tips forward when sitting - unstable	-1
No fleece lining in outside pocket for glasses	-1
No fleece lining in the laptop or tablet pockets	-0.5
No pass through for attaching to rolling luggage	-1
No separate tablet pocket	-2
No external pocket for glasses, phone	-1
No flap for weatherproofing	-1	-1
No external pocket for holding a water bottle	-1
No lash points	-0.5	-0.5
Handle in middle prevents easily hanging bag on hook	-0.5
Poor hardware choice or design (small zippers, placement of compression straps, etc.)	-1
Lack of reinforced bottom allow for excess wear and poor weatherproofing	-1	-1
Black interior making it hard to see item in the bottom of bag	-1
No open file folder pocket	-2
Velcro closure for main flap (loud and unnecessary)	-2
No strap or buckle to hold laptop in pocket if in main compartment	-1
No dedicated tablet pocket	-0.5
The dedicated cell phone pocket will only fit a small phone	-0.5
Thin or nonexistent shoulder pad	-1
Handle is located in such a way that picking up the bag kicks it into your knee	-0.5
Deep zipper covers that impede opening	-2
	Total	-2.5